NTSB: JetBlue airliner landed with parking brake on at Sacramento
By APThursday, September 23, 2010
Jet landed with parking brake on at Sacramento
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A JetBlue airliner apparently landed with its parking brake on when its main tires blew and caught fire at Sacramento International Airport last month, a federal safety agency said Wednesday.
Recorded flight data show the Airbus A320-232’s parking brake was engaged during approach at an altitude of 5,100 feet and stayed on throughout the Aug. 26 landing, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary finding.
The NTSB said the twin-engine jet rapidly decelerated, the four tires on its main landing gear blew out, and a minor tire fire erupted.
The first officer was flying Flight 262 from Long Beach and the captain took over when the problem occurred and the tower reported sparks and smoke, the NTSB said. The captain brought the plane to a halt and ordered an emergency evacuation on the runway, the NTSB said.
Seven of the 86 passengers suffered minor injuries while using emergency slides. The two pilots and three flight attendants were unharmed.
The preliminary NTSB report said the airplane was examined by the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration, and the main gear tires showed evidence of being locked on touchdown.
The NTSB said neither pilot recalled any abnormal indications or warnings associated with the braking system prior to landing.
An after-hours telephone call and e-mail from The Associated Press seeking comment from JetBlue Airways Corp. were not immediately returned Wednesday.
